MILWAUKEE, WI — A wave of relief swept through Milwaukee as 7-year-old Jamal White, affectionately known as “Baby J,” was found safe on Saturday, July 12, 2025, following his abduction the previous evening. The Milwaukee Police Department confirmed that a suspect, identified as Corey Williams, was taken into custody in connection with the incident, which had sparked a statewide Amber Alert and mobilized the community in a frantic search for the young boy.
Jamal was last seen around 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, near his home on the 6200 block of West Hustis Street on Milwaukee’s northwest side. Witnesses reported a terrifying scene where a masked individual, described as a Black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a black face mask, forcibly took Jamal at gunpoint and placed him into a white Jeep Renegade SUV with an unknown license plate. Surveillance footage, including doorbell camera recordings, captured the vehicle moments before the abduction, showing it pulling up as Jamal rode his bike in the street. According to Jamal’s aunt, Simone White, multiple armed and masked individuals were involved, targeting the boy while his father was nearby, returning from a park.
The Milwaukee Police Department issued an Amber Alert just before midnight on Friday, classifying Jamal as critically missing due to the violent nature of his abduction. The alert described Jamal as a Black male, approximately 4 feet tall, weighing about 80 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts. The community rallied immediately, with family, friends, and strangers gathering at Carmen Park on Saturday afternoon to distribute flyers and search neighborhoods, businesses, and wooded areas for any sign of the boy. Approximately 75 people joined the effort, driven by the urgency to bring “Baby J” home.
On Saturday evening, around 6:36 p.m., the Milwaukee Police Department announced that Jamal had been located safe near 39th and Lloyd Streets, approximately six-and-a-half miles from where he was taken. The crime scene quickly transformed into a celebration, with hundreds of residents gathering, some wiping away tears of joy and others revving motorcycle engines in triumph. Family members, including cousins Nikki Harrington and Raven Jackson, expressed overwhelming gratitude, recounting how they saw Jamal and confirmed he was okay. “He looked at us, and we said, ‘You okay, cousin?’ He said, ‘Yeah,’” Harrington shared, describing the emotional reunion.
Corey Williams, the suspect, was reportedly found with Jamal at the time of his recovery, though police have not released specific details about how the boy was located or the circumstances of Williams’ arrest. The investigation remains active, with authorities working to determine the full extent of Williams’ involvement and whether additional suspects were part of the abduction. Jamal was taken to a hospital for evaluation following his recovery, and his family, who described him as a sweet, playful, and charismatic child who loves cars, cartoons, and music, expressed relief at having him back safe.
The Milwaukee Police Department continues to seek information from the public to aid the ongoing investigation. Anyone with details about the abduction is urged to contact Milwaukee Police District Four at 414-935-7242 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS. The community’s vigilance, combined with law enforcement’s efforts, was credited for the successful outcome, with residents emphasizing Milwaukee’s commitment to protecting its children. “We don’t play about kids here in Milwaukee,” said community activist Vaughn Mayes, who livestreamed the moment of Jamal’s recovery. “The citizens of this city showed up and showed out, and I’m proud of my city today.”
